Suspect a Bersatu leader from FT

PETALING JAYA: The man arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigation into alleged graft in the brokering of government projects is said to have close links with Bersatu’s top leadership.

It is understood that the man, a Bersatu division leader from the Federal Territories, is being probed in relation to the alleged misappropriation of the RM92.5bil Covid-19 stimulus package funds under the Perikatan Nasional government.The Star earlier reported that the man was arrested at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya after giving his statement on Thursday night.

The 42-year-old is the chief executive officer of a private company which allegedly acted as a middleman for the distribution of the economic stimulus packages from 2020 to 2022.

The suspect also allegedly took bribes to connect contractors with government higher-ups.

Previously, the MACC had said in a statement that investigations were focused on the RM92.5bil under the stimulus and economic recovery packages.

Investigation papers have been opened on at least five people believed to be masterminds or middlemen for several companies that had obtained projects ranging from RM50mil to RM500mil via direct negotiations.

Sources added that 90% of the projects obtained via direct negotiations had not been executed as no acceptance letters were issued.

Investigations will be focused on the remaining 10%.

The suspect has been remanded until Tuesday.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had earlier confirmed the arrest, adding that investigations are being conducted under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009, which provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.